A Reflection On Ambition

When I want to follow God’s recipe for greatness

We human beings are too often caught in a misguided ambition—toward self-fulfillment, toward achievement, toward impressive accomplishments, and toward status. The problem with our ambition is that it strives toward unworthy goals. It misses what is truly valuable. It exalts self to the exclusion of God.

Contrary to our instincts, God’s means for greatness are not climbing up the ladder, but going down. Why? Because when our ambition accomplishes much, we get glory and we compete with God. When our ambition rests in what God can do, He gets glory. That’s why He came as an infant in an obscure little town. He is more clearly the author of greatness when the great get such lowly starts.

Do you desire greatness in God’s Kingdom? It’s not a bad desire. But the means may not be what you’d expect. Measure greatness not by status but by dependence on the One who is greater than all others.

Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.

Luke 9:48